Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council

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Trees and the Public Realm (Draft)
Social benefits – including health and well being
15. The aesthetic value of trees is arguably their most obvious contribution to the city. Trees
can be planted to create places and symbolise community focal points, either by acting
as physical barriers to movement, visual barriers which create the illusion of space, as
navigational aids to direct people, as objects of beauty to attract people. Trees can also
be objects of beauty in their own right, simply because their shape is intrinsically
pleasing or perhaps because of their particular features of foliage, flowers or bark. It is
these qualities that can help to create an attractive and comfortable street that will
encourage people to linger and make contact with others.
16. Trees can also assist by:
• Providing historic continuity – trees can live for several centuries and provide an
emotional and physical link to past events and planned townscapes.
• Forming an important component of historic designed spaces such as London
Squares
• Providing a foil to the built environment by introducing organic shapes and
colours into the townscape.
• Marking the changing seasons with leaf changes and floral displays.
• Acting as landmarks when mature, and providing visual emphasis to vehicle
and pedestrian routes.
• Screening unsightly views - Even quite small trees planted close to the view
point can be used to screen distant undesirable views.
• Giving shade and thereby potentially reducing temperature, and increasing
comfort levels.
• Reducing stress and illness by providing psychological refreshment and a
sense of well being through softening the built environment, creating character
and a sense of place and permanence.
• Releasing scents and aromas that elicit a positive emotional response
contributing to health and well being.
Economic benefits
17. Trees can potentially increase property values. They enhance spaces and can provide
an attractive environment for business, leisure, tourism and residents, therefore
encouraging further investment.
18. Other economic benefits include:
• When planted strategically they can reduce carbon emissions by reducing fuel
costs for heating and cooling buildings.
• Providing a sustainable source of compost (leaf litter) and mulch (wood chips).
• Providing employment through all aspects of the arboriculture industry.